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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of several persons and entities charged of hiring South American contractors to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan which the US alleges of genocidal acts.

Group Makeup

Announcing the measures on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the scheme was primarily made up of Colombian nationals and companies.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to the Sudanese warzone to operate with the RSF paramilitary group, a group linked to horrific war crimes encompassing targeted ethnic killings and mass abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters first came to light in 2024, prompted by an investigation which disclosed that more than 300 ex-military personnel had been recruited to fight – an event that led to an rare mea culpa from the Colombian government.

Colombian ex-soldiers have widely regarded as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience acquired during years of internal conflict, knowledge of advanced weaponry, and superior tactical education.

Role in the Conflict

In the conflict, the mercenaries have allegedly instructed minors, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. A mercenary was quoted as saying that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but added that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Sanctioned Individuals

Among those sanctioned was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and former army officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities accused him a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting former Colombian soldiers to Sudan. His spouse, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was similarly targeted.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business accused of handling funds and payroll for the scheme. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque conducted several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the government release noted.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the final person to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw said to have conducted wire transfers linked to Duque and his companies.

"Washington reiterates its demand for outside forces to stop giving financial and military support to the combatants," the Treasury stated.

Expert Analysis

Elizabeth Dickinson, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "major" development, noting that "identifying the recruiters is the correct approach".

It was also noted that, the Colombian government recently passed a statute approving the anti-mercenary convention, designed to limit decades of Colombian involvement in international fights and reshape national security policy.

A mercenary specialist, a scholar on the subject, called for greater wariness, noting that "penalties are required yet incomplete for addressing the growing mercenary trade".

"It operates in the black market and based out of Dubai, which is difficult to penalize," he said. The United Arab Emirates has been frequently alleged of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," McFate warned.